How to Evaluate a Prepaid Legal Service

Considering purchasing a prepaid legal service plan is a wise decision for some individuals. If you are considering enrolling in a prepaid legal service plan there are a number of factors to keep in mind. There are some significant differences from one plan to the next. At the outset you need to evaluate a particular prepaid legal service plan in order to ensure that it provides you with the coverage you require, with services that make the most sense for you and your family.

Things You'll Need

• Prepaid legal service plan prospectus

Instructions

1. Review the specific attorneys available to provide services to plan members.

2. Check not only the number of attorneys that are available for consultation and representation under a plan but consider the background and experience of these lawyers.

3. Inquire as to whether there are any attorney specialists serving plan members in your area. For example, does the plan offer legal assistance from a divorce attorney.

4. Review the different levels of coverage you get from different individual plans offered through a particular prepaid legal service provider.

5. Determine whether a plan offers a certain amount of time to a member during the course of any given year for consultations as opposed to representation in particular matters (traffic tickets and so forth).

6. Find out if the plan offers a 24-hour toll-free number in the event you have a true legal emergency.

7. Contrast and compare the fees charged by different prepaid legal service plans available in your area.

Tips & Warnings

• See if your employer offers a prepaid legal service plan as a benefit.

• Read the small print in a prepaid legal service contract. You need to make sure there are no additional charges for certain services that you are not aware of when you seek legal assistance through the plan.

References

• "Prepaid Legal Services and Legal Insurance : What CEOs, Human Resource Directors, Employee Benefit Brokers, Small Business and Home-based Business Owners Should Know!;" Bob Afamasaga; 2001
• "The Pre-Paid Legal Story: The Story of One Man, His Company, and Its Mission to Provide Affordable Legal Protection for Everyone;" Harland C. Stonecipher & James W. Robinson; 2000
• "Success in Pre-Paid Legal;" Paul J. Meyer & Kevin Rhea; 2002

Resources

• Pre-paid Legal Services, Inc.
• Forbes Magazine: 200 Best Small Companies in America--Pre-paid Legal Services, Inc.